Musical instrument



-July 27 ,1926.

1,593,809 R. vANA MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet l j l F?? Jgn.- 12, 192e I .41. 45M ff f5 ggf l? f3 70 Z5 1 v 7,2/ a; i, e5 /32 A142 /am 3,35 #i P\ z #l M25 /9 A f4 1a ZZ ,ZI H g U t, v i n Z 51 3.5 4Z 50 3; H f1 if H l 4 1 f1 39 F0 Il 6 W in* i j 59 /g 3g o g y 'NIH HHH! IMBIIIUIHI lr R. VANA MUSICAL INSTRUMENT July 27 1926. v l I 1,593,809

Filed Jan. 12. 1926 2 Sheets-Shea?, 2 l

UNITED STATES y 1,593,809 Parnu'rN OFFICE.

y y RUDOLPH VANA, or BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS. f

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

.Application ledianuary 12. 1926. Serial No. 86,719.`

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in musical instruments of the stringed type, wherein a manually shiftable member in the form of a hammer or block constructed of bell metal is movable over the strings that are played in a manner similar to a guitar, the shiftable block being formed of bell metal increasing the tone volume and longevitythereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stringed musical instrument wherein a single string wire is employed, the

single wirebeing looped around a freely turning brass roller on a supporting post with the ends thereof secured to a tuning key to be operated for attaining the proper pitch.

Vith the aboveand other objects in view `that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists of the novel form, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a stringed musical instrument constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View,

Figure 4 shows side and end elevational views of the hammer or block to be moved over the strings,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the handle detached from the hammer or block,

Figure 6 is a perspective view ofthe hammer and handle assembled, t

Figure 7 shows top plan and side eleva- `tional views of a mute to be attached to the hammer,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the outer end vof the instrument with another form of mute attached to the i instrument, y

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the mute shown in Fig. 8,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the outer end of the mute showing the tuning key to which the string is attached, and

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view showing the guide rollers over which the, string passes.

The case of the instrument, preferably beand to increase vibrations of the case during the playing of the instrument and to utilize such vibration in producing tremolo tune.

The instrument embodies a single string arranged in looped formation `as shown in Fig. 3, the string 6 being looped intermediate the endsthereof to `enclose a roller 7 that Yis rotatable on the stud 8 and be retained in position thereon by `seating in the roller groove 7a while the two free ends of the looped string are anchored to the tuning key 9. As shownmore clearly in Figs. 3, 8 and 11 a bracket including a base plate' 1() is secured as at 11k to the upper wall 1 of the case and carries parallel side wallsy 12 in which a cross pin 18 is set. A roller 14 is supported on thepin 13 and is annularly grooved as at 15 toconfine and guide the two sides of 'the looped string 6.

As shown in Fig. 10, the upper wall 1 of the case Iis provided with a pairof spaced openings 16 separated by the central partition 18 and said pin 9 is journaled in the partition wall 18 and one side 3 of the case. The base plate 10 of the bracket is provided with a pair of openings' 19, each alined with an `opening 16, through which the string 6 extends as shown in Fig. 3. The outer end of the tuning key 9 carries a pinion 20 to be Yengaged by the worm 21 upon the shaft 22 that is journaled in the bracket 23 at the side 3` ofthe case, this construction being clearly shown in Fig. 8. The upper end of the shaft 22 is provided with a knob 24; to facilitate operation thereof.

As .shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the upper Lwall 1 of the case has painted, printed or otherwise impressed thereon a `music cleft 25 with note characters 26 and several octaves of note letters 27. The two strings 6 are manipulated` or played similar to af lguitar'A or mandolin and in lieu of the usual fret bars, a residentblock or hammer is `moved over the lwires to obtain the proper notes. The hammer is shown in detail in Figs. 4 to 6 and is preferabl in the form of a lcylindrical member 28 aving one end thereof tapered as at` 29 substantially to a knife edge with spaced notches 30 at the-edge for receiving the spaced sides of the string 6. The member 28, substantially midway the ends thereof is longitudinally, split` in/ cross directions as at 31 to provide four vibrating members 82. To increase the tone volume and quality of the instrument, the hammer 28 is preferably formed of bell metal which will sound when the string 6 is played. The metal from which the hammer is made is the usual alloy for making bell metal. The hammer 28 is carried by the handle 88 shown indetail in Fig. 5 whereinfthe tang 34 of thehandle is offset at an angle to be received in the angular-ly disposed sock-et formed in the hammer so that the handle 83 can be positioned laterally of the case and string 6 when the grooves 8O in the knife edge of the tapered end of the hammer engage the sides of the string t3. By shifting the hammer 28 along the string 6 relative to-the notes upon the cleft the desired note is obtained and if desired, the pick 36 shown by dotte-d'lines, in Fig. (3 may be employed in manipulating the string. As shown in Figs. l and 8, a metallic plate 37 is secured to the upper wall l of the case adjacent the stud 8 to yprevent marring of thewall surface and finish when the instrument is pla-yedwith a pick or. the like and to fasten to theplate different attachments for playing.

A mute may bev attached to the hammer 28 and moved therewith over the string 6, the imite being illustrated inFig. 7 in the -form ofa wire frame having curved spaced legs 38 connected by a reversely curved portion 39 that is .attached to the felt 40 as at 41. The tapered end 29 of the hammer isv provided with spaced openings 42 lthat receive the spaced legs 38 and dispose the felt 40 for Contact with the spaced sides of the looped string 6 rearwardly of thehammer. It is also intended that the mute of the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9 be attached to the case, this mute being `formed of a resilient stick bent upon itself to form opposite sides 43 and 44 connected by an intermediate bent or loop 45,` the end of the side 44 being notchedas at 46 tovbe removably positioned beneath the screw 11 shown in Figs. 8 and 8.

The felt 47 carried by the side 44 is positione'dfor contact with the string 8 while rtheside 43 extends outwardly between the two sections of-the string. When the hammer 28 is moved over the wire 6, the saine may engage the loopedend 45l of the imite to displace the 'feltlt-'from contact with the wire to displace the mutefrom the path of movement of the hammer.

When the hammer 28 is moved over the string 6 with the two sections of the string Vlying in the groove SO'in the lower edge of the tapered end'29 of the hammer, the latter may be shifted tothe desired position relative to the cleft and operate in-lieu yof the usual fret. A suitable implement, such as a pick may be employed in manipulating the string and with the angularly disposed tang 34 upon the end of the handle 8, the hand that `nieves the hammer may be displaced laterally of the string to permit freedom of movement of the other hand in striking the string. Also, the handle 88 may be shifted relative to the hammer 28 to dispose the hand of the operator directly above the strings so that the instrument may be played with only one hand. The string 6 being in the form of a loop and a single strand, extends around the roller 7 on the stud post 8 with its free ends attached to the tuning key 9 and the desired pitch forthe string may be obtained by manipulating the key.

While there `are herein shown and dcscribed the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is nevertheless `to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit `and scope of the invention as claimed.

lhat is claimed is l. ln a musical instrument of the character described, a case, a single looped string, av tuning key to which the ends of the string ,are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string` to operate-in lieu of'thc usual frets, and said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string.

In a musical instrument ofthe character described, a casing, a single looped string, a tuning key to which `the ends'of the string` are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, `a `guide roller for the center and ends of the string supported above the upper wall of the case, and said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string.

3. in a musical instrument of the character described, a case, a singlelooped string, a. tuning key to which the ends of the string are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable overthe string to operate in lieuv ofthe usual frets, said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string, and with the opposite upper end split crosswise and longitudinally to increase vibrations thereof when the string is played.

`In a musical instrument of the character described, a casing, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the endsI of the string are attached, a hammer Vof ybell metal movable over Vthe string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, a guide roller for the center and ends of the string supported above the upper wall ofthe case, said hammer having a tapering end groovedto receive the. string, and with the opposite upper end split crosswise and longitudinallyto increase vibrations thereof when'the string is played.

5. In a musical instrument of the character described, a case, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the ends of the string are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string, With the opposite upper end split crosswise and Vlongitudinally to increase vibrations thereof when the string is played, the tapered end of said hammer having spaced openings therein, and a mute embodying Wire legs received in said openings and having a felt positioned for contact With the string.

G. In a musical instrument of the character described, a casing, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the ends of 'the string are attached, a hammer of hell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, a guide roller for the center and ends of the string supported above the upper Wall of the case, said hammer having a tapering end grooved Lto receive the string, With the opposite upper end split crossvvise and longitudinally to in-. crease vibrations thereof when the string is played, the'tapered end of said hammer having spaced openings therein, and a mute embodying Wire legs received in said openings and having a felt positioned for contact with the string.

7. In a musical instrument of the character described, al case, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the ends of the string are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string, with the opposite upper end split crossWise and longitudinally to increase vibrations thereof When the string is played, and a handle for the hammer having an oset tang to dispose the handle laterally of the stringwhen the hammer is operatively positioned.

8. In a musical instrument of the character described, a casing, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the ends of the string are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, a guide roller for the center and ends of the string supported above the upper Wall of the case, said hammer having a tapering end grooved to receive the string, with the opposite upper end split n with the opposite upper end split crosswise and longitudinally to increase vibrations thereof when the string is played, and a mute removably attached to the upper side of the case at the outer end and being constructed for displacement from the string when engaged by the hammer'.

l0. In a musical instrument of the character described, a casing, a single looped string, a tuning key to which the ends of the string are attached, a hammer of bell metal movable over the string to operate in lieu of the usual frets, a guide rollerfor the center and ends of the string supported above the upper Wall of the case, said hammer having a tapering end grooved to re* ceive the string, with the opposite upperend split crosswise and longitudinally to increase vibrations thereof when the string .is played, and a mute removably attached to the upper side of the case at the outer end and being constructed for displacement from the string When engaged by the hammer.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RUDOLPH VANA. 

